Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has urged the Indian selectors to give Hanuma Vihari a fair chance in comparison to Ajinkya Rahane after the latter failed to convince with bat once again. Gambhir believes Vihari deserves more opportunities to prove himself like Rahane. On Day 3 of Cape Town Test, it was yet another dismal showing for Rahane, who was dismissed for one in the second innings.
“Hanuma Vihari should get the first opportunity now. He should be backed as much as Ajinkya Rahane was backed, if not more than at least for 2-3 series,” the 40-year-old said while on commentary duties for the ongoing three-match Test series.
Numbers game
The 33-year-old Rahane was India's vice-captain last year but was dismissed after a poor showing with the bat. In the last 28 innings, he has managed to score a combined 574 runs at an unimpressive average of 20.5. In the entirety of 2021, he was unable to register a triple-figure mark as his last ton came against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in December 2020. On 11 occasions he went for a single-digit scoreline, which made matters worse for him.
Hanuma Vihari knocking on the door
The Hyderabad-based cricketer has been knocking on the doors of the Indian cricket team for a while and at times is only in the team as a replacement. In 13 Tests so far he has scored 684 runs with a best of 111 against West Indies at Kingston, Jamaica in August 2019. He also has five wickets to his name in the longest format, giving him the edge ahead of Rahane as part-time off-spinner.
Gambhir's words speak volumes after two of India's most priced assets, Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, failed to impress in recent times. The duo has faced criticism of late with likes of Vihari warming the benches. Shreyas Iyer is another player whom the team management have kept on the sidelines in the series despite a century on debut against New Zealand last year.
